September 2013 – John McRae Photography & Studio

September 30, 2013

DAVEY WAVEY & MATT MITCHAM

Last Wednesday afternoon I had the great pleasure of photographing a “You Tube” Superstar and a Diving Legend together! Davey Wavey (not his real name, I’m sure) was in town and decided to take Matt up on the offer of some impromptu diving instruction. I tagged along to take a few shots of the proceedings.

The goal was to leap off the 10m platform and have fun. Well…..they had fun, but Davey was a bit hesitant for the 10m. I suppose my anecdotal stories of ski diving accidents didn’t help. He did however conquer the 5m which is more than I think I would be willing to go. Matt was a considerate teacher and you can get an idea of how the afternoon unfolded from the shots.

By the way this was my first brush with “You Tube” Stardom….an entirely new concept for me. So, I asked a thousand questions of how it all came about to Davey Wavey on the way home in the car, and Davey was only too happy to answer!

You can catch up with Davey Wavey via his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/wickydkewl,

And Matt Mitcham via his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MatthewMitchamOlympian.

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September 25, 2013May 30, 2022

Shoot The Chef Competition 2013 Winner – John McRae

Ali & Osso Buco wins the 2013 “Shoot The Chef Competition”

I received fabulous news on Tuesday. I knew that I had been selected as a finalist in this years “Shoot The Chef”, what I didn’t know, until I read the paper, was that I had won! I always assumed the winners of these types of competitions were gently informed before hand. I wasn’t…. and when I received a text from my friend, Domonic, I merely said, “you can”t believe everything you read in the newspaper”.I’m happy to say it’s true and I’m going to collect my prize money on Thursday night at the opening of the “Good Food Month” at the Sydney Opera House.

This image is my interpretation of what a contemporary chef might look like, and a parody on the concept of fine dining. It is part of a series of photographs I have been working on with the Sydney chef, Robert Zampogna. Robert was the Executive Chef at the East Lakes Golf Course for about 10 years and last year he approached me with the concept to produce a cook book together, titled Hungry. Ali & Osso Buco, as the name suggests, is our visual rendition of Rob’s Italian dish, Osso Buco. Ali plays the role of the inverted aristocrat beautifully. He is seated, bare-chested, alone at a table, his napkin to one side as he chews his candle-lit meal. He stares provocatively at the viewer. The setting is “grand industrial”, and the backdrop is a shot I captured on a recent visit to the disused White Bay Power Station.

I’ve always enjoyed seeing the images each year from “Shoot The Chef”. I like the subject of food and the idea of the chef, it showcases some amazing creativity and this year I decided to be part of it…and I can tell you I’m glad I did.

Thanks to Ali and Rob for their brilliant contribution and collaboration to this win.

September 21, 2013

Welcome!

Hi Guys,

Welcome to my first blog entry and welcome to my new web site.

Compliments to the IT master, Mr Lachlan Fletcher, who single-handedly spearheaded the process of furnishing me with this new site. Contact me if you want his details.

I have all good intentions of blogging regularly which I am told is what is required of a blog.

My first entry is merely a welcome note and a really short explanation of the hand in the recent shot of me. Alas, for a short while, I have been rendered a one-handed photographer. A really stupid accident picking up a bucket while feeding some horses meant I have torn the tendon from the bone in my ring finger. Of course it would have to be my right hand. Surgery has seen the tendon threaded back into place and secured and now I must endure the 6 weeks of referring always to my left hand.

However, there’s no way a small finger handicap is going to stop me taking fabulous shots! (tying my shoe laces… maybe)

All the best,

John.